02 DM images copyright: Jess Hurd.


Highlights from Delegate Meeting


#NUJDM2025 saw delegates arrive in Blackpool for debates on motions spanning legislation, international, health and safety, finance and more!


International Anthony Bellanger, IFJ general secretary, addressed members in a speech that highlighted the grave danger facing journalists globally, including those reporting in Gaza. “Gaza is a mater of principle, a mater of international law, a mater of morals, a mater of justice, a mater of conscience, a mater of humanity” he said.


A video address by Nasser Abu


Bakr, president of the Palestinian Journalists’ Syndicate, was played in the conference hall; a poignant moment as we remembered colleagues killed and the realities on the ground. At this year’s DM, delegates marked the deaths of colleagues around the world with a moment’s silence in a sombre moment of reflection, ahead of International Workers’ Memorial Day. A motion instructing the NEC to


take practical actions in line with the Boycot, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement was debated and fell. Further motions not debated at DM on International issues were remited to the NEC due to time constraints.


Subscriptions A motion to increase subscriptions for the next two years fell following impassioned speeches and a vote by delegates that did not reach the required two thirds majority. An NEC motion had called for the increase to ensure the union could maintain its ability to support members and recruit and organise from a stable base. Speakers opposing the motion outlined their


Rebecca Long- Bailey MP


Rebecca Long-Bailey MP, co-chair of the NUJ Parliamentary Group stressed the importance of journalism within democratic structures. “If we believe in democracy, we must protect journalism.” she said. Te Labour MP for Salford was clear on the Group’s


commitment to championing journalists whilst raising concerns of the union within parliament. Te Group has already met with Tim Davie, BBC director general, on the upcoming renewal of the BBC’s Royal Charter and members have


concerns including that a rise would increase difficulty in recruiting members struggling financially without inflation-beating pay rises. In another motion in the finance debate, DM instructed the NEC to base all members’ subs on their taxable earnings by the end of July 2026.


Recruitment Te importance of recruiting new members to the union to ensure its sustainability and success was heard in the debate on recruitment and membership. DM agreed the union will recruit members under 30 where they earn at least a quarter of their income from journalism. Students and retired members will now also be able to stand for election to all union bodies. Efforts to boost recruitment of migrant journalists will be


spoken in debates on artificial intelligence, journalists’ safety and international issues.


DM 2025


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